WBC interim gentle heavyweight champion David Benavidez says he took the struggle towards WBA ‘common’ champ David Morrell Jr. as a result of he wished to indicate followers that he’s not “scared” of him for his or her 12-round headliner on February 1st.
It was fairly apparent that Benavidez (29-0, 24 KOs) was hesitant to struggle the previous Cuban newbie star Morrell (11-0, 9 KOs) as a result of he had referred to as him out for a stable two years. He didn’t need to struggle him.
If Benavidez had been combating A-level fighters throughout these two years, nobody would have doubted his braveness. Nonetheless, he was dealing with creampuffs like David Lemieux, Kyrone David, Caleb Plant, and Demetrius Andrade.
A Battle Born from Concern
Benavidez selecting to struggle them as a substitute of Morrell made it apparent that he was afraid of the Cuban fighter. That’s why he’s so upset now as a result of he is aware of himself that he didn’t need any a part of combating him, and he hates it that followers acknowledged his concern.
“The explanation I took this struggle is as a result of Morrell has been speaking quite a bit, saying I’m scared. That is my manner of proving that it doesn’t matter who it’s; I’m going to get them within the ring eventually. I informed those that, and we’re right here. February 1st, it’s going to be an enormous struggle. I’m excited so as to add that WBA title to my assortment of belts,” mentioned David Benavidez to Battle Hub TV, speaking about his match towards David Morrell in 2025.
Benavidez took this struggle towards Morrell as a result of it was the largest payday he may get and since he wanted to place himself ready to struggle the winner of the rematch between undisputed gentle heavyweight champion Artur Beterbiev and Dmitry Bivol.
Benavidez and the WBC had been criticized for being given a direct shot at combating in a 175-lb title eliminator in his first struggle at gentle heavyweight towards Oleksandr Gvozdyk on June fifteenth.
Many followers felt that Benavidez ought to have needed to earn a compulsory spot by beating related prime contenders like Joshua Buatsi, Anthony Yarde, and Willy Hutchinson earlier than being put in because the WBC 175-lb obligatory for champion Artur Beterbiev’s title. Taking the Morrell struggle will give Benavidez an opportunity to indicate that he charges a world title struggle.
“Proving all of the individuals incorrect. All of the individuals suppose he’s going to beat me, proving them incorrect and solidifying myself as essentially the most harmful fighter in my weight class [175] right this moment,” Benavidez continued.
This struggle is prone to finish badly for Benavidez, exhibiting the followers that his previous success at 168 was because of him utilizing weight manipulation to compete in a division properly under his measurement. He was a modern-day Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. For those who don’t keep in mind.
Chavez Jr. is a man who discovered success earlier in his profession when he campaigned at middleweight and would seem like a light-weight heavyweight after rehydrating. As soon as he may now not make 160, his profession fell aside, combating opposition his personal measurement at 168 and 175. Benavidez is heading in the identical route. We already noticed that in Benavidez’s debut at 175 towards a washed-up 37-year-old Oleksandr Gvozdyk on June fifteenth.
Can Benavidez Deal with Morrell’s Energy?
“He’s a terrific fighter, however I’ve a greater skill to suppose. I’ve extra velocity, extra energy, and extra expertise,” mentioned Benavidez, ranking himself above Morrell in these areas. “I really feel like that is going to be a terrific struggle to showcase my expertise, my expertise and present I’m the baddest man at 175.”
Benavidez is incorrect. He’s not quicker and positively NOT extra highly effective than Morrell. There’s an enormous distinction between them in each of these areas. Morrell has superior hand velocity than Benavidez and possesses one-punch energy.
Even undisputed gentle heavyweight champion Artur Beterbiev doesn’t have the identical punching energy as Morrell. The Cuban is the #1 energy puncher within the 175-lb division. Benavidez shouldn’t be within the prime 10 within the energy division.
Largest punchers at 175:
- David Morrell
- Artur Beterbiev
- Joshua Buatsi
- Anthony Yarde
- Callum Smith
- Oleksandr Gvozdyk
- Radivoje Kalajdzic
- Dmitry Bivol
- Jean Pascal
- Dan Azeez
“I need to be essentially the most dominant champion on this weight class, and the one technique to present that’s by beating different dominant fighters. I felt he acquired uncovered somewhat, however he’s been calling for this struggle over and over,” mentioned Benavidez about Morrell’s final struggle towards former world title challenger Radivoje Kalajdzic on August third.
It’s not shocking that Benavidez isn’t prepared to reward Morrell for his win over Kalajdzic as a result of he would admit that his opponent outperformed him in comparison with his very poor debut at 175.
Morrell seemed much better towards Kalajdzic than Benavidez did in his debut at 175 towards Oleksandr Gvozdyk, operating out of fuel after six rounds and taking large punishment within the self half of the struggle. Many followers felt that the struggle ought to have been a draw as a result of Gvozdyk had dominated the final six rounds. In Morrell’s case, he appeared to win all 12 rounds towards Kalajdzic.
“I really feel like this struggle goes to be my finest struggle as much as this date, however I’m getting higher and higher,” mentioned Benavidez.
The fact is that Benavidez is NOT getting higher in case you choose him by his final efficiency towards Gvozdyk on June fifteenth. He acquired uncovered in that struggle to be a weight bully, who, as soon as he lastly fought somebody his measurement, was a median fighter, no higher than any of the highest 15 contenders at gentle heavyweight.
